Sangarius Soars in Hampton Court

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Sangarius squeezed his way between foes in the stretch run before soaring off to a resounding score in Thursday’s Hampton Court Stakes (G3) on Day 3 of the Royal Ascot meet.

Breaking from post 15 under Frankie Dettori at 7/1 stateside odds, Sangarius was in the front half of the early running while Kick On set the opening pace. As the field completed the turn for home, Dettori aimed Sangarius at a small hole that appeared between Arthur Kitt and Great Scot, and his steed responded gamely to the slight bumps that occurred.

Suddenly shaking free, Sangarius employed his swift turn of foot with great aplomb, dashing away to win the 10-furlong event by 2 1/4 lengths in a final time of 2:08.36.

“It’s Ascot, you’ve got to have 10 plans for a race and hope you pick the right one,” said Dettori, who also won the opener aboard A’ali in the Norfolk Stakes (G2). “I had half a split and I took it. He’s a very brave horse – he’s very big, so he made himself plenty of room, and boy, didn’t he half quicken for a big horse. It was a great performance. I saw daylight, which in these races is very unusual, and I was able to push him out to the line and enjoy the moment.”

Fox Chairman made an impressive late run after twice checking in traffic at the top of the stretch, nailing King Ottokar at the wire by a neck. The rest of the field crossed thusly: Eightsome Reel, Roseman, Arthur Kitt, Cap Francais, Getchagetchagetcha, Global Spectrum, Cape of Good Hope, Great Scot, Old Glory, and Kick On.

Headman and Buckhurst were non-runners.

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Sangarius’ win was his first of the year, having finished third at Sandown on May 23. The 3-year-old son of Kingman now sports a record of 5-3-0-1.

“He is a horse we have always liked a lot,” said winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute. “He did it well, he was tight for space, and he couldn’t get enough room to get into a rhythm. But he has a turn of foot, and he is improving; he is a nice horse. He very quickly put a lot of space between himself and the field, that is a good sign!”

Sangarius returned $16.20 to win and $5.80 to place, Fox Chairman brought back $3.20 to place, and King Ottokar paid $4 to place.